Suggestions for late October overnight for teen group

[mtruman]

I got this question from a friend yesterday. He's an experienced hiker so he knows what the kids would be getting into for the most part. I know that his daughter has done a lot of hiking as well including so pretty tough stuff out west but don't know about her friends. They're looking for something in New Hampshire (although I guess that ME or VT would work too except that I think the possibilities are more limited). They're looking at the weekend of Oct 24th so my biggest concern would be the potentially cold night temperatures and the gear that they'd need for that. All input greatly appreciated.

Here's his question:

My daughter wants to take 6-8 of her friends (aged15-19) for an overnight hiking/camping trip. This will be the first trip for some of them, and others have some experience. They want the complete experience: Tents, campfire, mountain summit, etc. No huts.

I'm trying to think of a trail where we have a maximum of say a 3 hour hike to a tent site, which allows fires, and then a hike to a scenic peak to summit in the morning. Ideally, we'd be able to leave the camping gear at the tent site while summitting, and then pick it up on the way down.

Liberty Springs might be good, for example, but that is a really steep trail and might take away some of the fun factor for those who are not in top condition. Given that most are girls, and unaccustomed to roughing it, I think that an outhouse has to be a requirement.

 

[Chip]

I'm trying to think of a trail where we have a maximum of say a 3 hour hike to a tent site, which allows fires, and then a hike to a scenic peak to summit in the morning. Ideally, we'd be able to leave the camping gear at the tent site while summitting, and then pick it up on the way down.

Sounds like perfection, I'm looking forward to responses, I'd like to do the same thing with my family.

Assuming the girls understand that Da Bears shat in the woods and so shall they, and they can handle the back packs, I think you're biggest hurdle is going to be the fire; even if they're allowed you have to pack in or find the wood, which isn't easy in areas where fires are allowed.

 

[vegematic]

Unknown Pond

There is a privy and a communal fire pit and several tent pads (no platforms). The pond is lovely with a view to the Horn which could be your scenic summit. I wouldn't worry at all about leaving my gear there while hiking up to the Horn.

I've only ever hiked it from the Fish Hatchery and that is a little over 3 miles. The last bit is steep but nothing too crazy. Others can tell you about the approach from Stark which I understand to be easier.
-vegematic

 

[expat]

Rocky Branch Shelter #1 and Stairs Mountain?

I have done trips with kids on the Rocky Branch trail from Jericho Road in to Rocky Branch Shelter #1 to camp there. Then ascend Stairs Mountain for a nice 180 degree view.

It doesn't have a major summit, and the view is east-south-west, so you don't see the higher summits from there. But it is an easy hike in (short, and on an old RR grade) and the hike up to Stairs mtn. is pretty easy, too. Plentiful water, and the Rocky Branch is beautiful at the campsite.

This may be a lot easier, and not as spectacular as what you're looking for, but I've found it to be a reasonable trip for novices.

 

[Trainwreck]

Franconia Brook comes to mind considering the requirements for a campsite.
Nice easy walk in on East side. Heck. you could roll in firewood on a trolley.
Fires allowed (unless they changed the rules) but I'd check with the ranger Station just to avoid dissapointment. There is an outhouse (I think the guy who likes to hide out in them is out of the picture for now)
The scenic summit is and issue from there. If the river is hoppable, maybe consider Franconia Falls or Black Pond?
If not, well, further down the East Pemi trail are some nice places to play along the river
Have Fun.
Sandy

 

[Stan]

If you'd like camping without the tents, the USFS has two cabins in the Jackson, NH area, Black Mountain and Doublehead. The cabins sleep 8 and you must haul up everything, water and firewood included.

There is some interesting hiking near Doublehead and the trails to each are undeveloped ski trails.

You can probably find a link to further descriptions and reservations through the USFS website or by googling them. If not, let me know and I'll dig one out.

 

[Bill and Sheep]

Maybe Mt. Greylock?

If they want to deal with cold weather a little bit less, they might want to considered staying a little bit and tackling Mt. Greylock in Western MA. There are some nice group sites (near the Sperry Road camp area) a couple miles south of the summit that would be good for this type of experience. It's about a 2 mile hike into the campsites and 2-4 miles to the summit from the shelters/campsites.

I especially love camping here since they have now restricted car access to the Sperry Road sites and you have to hike in now. It makes for a pretty isolated camping experience even though you are a couple miles from the road.

 

[TDawg]

Liberty Springs might be good, for example...

Except no fires at Liberty Springs. If that's a must.

I'd say camp down low off Wilderness or Bondcliff traill, hike up to Bondcliff. Don't ask me where though....

 

[w7xman]

I run the outing club at the high school I teach at, and do overnights three times a year. I find that groups of teens are VERY slow, and 3 or 4 miles would be a max for a group. We've done 7 miles, but that was zealand to ethan pond...which doesn't get flatter. Little issues multiply into time kills quickly. Group dynamics are important. Pacing is more important. And we once had an hour long stream crossing that I four-stepped across!

Some trips we've done:
Baldface shelter...quick hike to the ledges in the morning
Lonesome Lake...cheap in winter
Kinsman Pond...Great hike!
Crag Camp...great hike!
Doublehead Shelter...a bit short...shelter and view good.
Ethan Pond...going in the short way is nice...

Others to consider include flat mountain pond, black mountain, any other RMC shelters, and the liberty cabin on chocorua...

Hope that helps...
Jim
I won't post our next location online, but we are going out with 10 kids that weekend, so I'll pm you where!

 

[sardog1]

There is a privy and a communal fire pit and several tent pads (no platforms). The pond is lovely with a view to the Horn which could be your scenic summit. I wouldn't worry at all about leaving my gear there while hiking up to the Horn.

I've only ever hiked it from the Fish Hatchery and that is a little over 3 miles. The last bit is steep but nothing too crazy. Others can tell you about the approach from Stark which I understand to be easier.
-vegematic

Yeah, what vegematic said. 'Cept for leaving out the part about the excellent chances to see Bullwinkle and/or his missus if you keep quiet. (Which ain't ever gonna happen with a group like this, no way, no how.)

 

[Jaytrek57]

Cardigan is a nice place to take kids who may not have as much camping experience. I have taken many a first time group there.

It offers campsites and a chance for kids to learn some camping basics, I like to emphasize the experiential learning aspect on these trips.

Plenty of trails to the top, nice fire at night, night group hike (w/o flashlights) on the carriage road (a kid favorite) a visit down low to the waterfalls the next day.

There is also the High Cabin which is pretty cool for kids too.


Peace.

 

[alpino]

I like Vegematic's idea of Unknown Pond. You could also continue to the summit of Cabot and stay at the Cabot Cabin. There is an outdoor fireplace there. I stayed there in November two years ago and it was very nice if you don't mind the mice in the rafters.
Another option might be Mount Isolation via either the Rocky Branch Trail from Rt 16, or the Glen Boulder Trail. There are two very nice and well marked wilderness sites with fire rings near the junction of the Isolation Trail and the Davis Path. Great views of Washington and the Southern Presies from Isolation, which is only a mile from camp. I finished my NH48 late October last year on this hike. The only concern was no water close to the camp sites. I carried some extra empty nalgenes with me and filled them up at the final brook crossing about a mile away. It worked out fine.

 

[vegematic]

Yeah, what vegematic said. 'Cept for leaving out the part about the excellent chances to see Bullwinkle and/or his missus if you keep quiet. (Which ain't ever gonna happen with a group like this, no way, no how.)

Don't be so sure: I was leading a HS orientation group up there a couple years ago and there was another HS group and two college groups there. We definitely had a moose in camp! Admittedly, it was after most folks had quieted down and gone to bed.
-vegematic

 

[sierra]

The fire issue might be a hard issue to deal with, that being said, I would consider Mizpah tentsite.Easy hike in, sheltered, Pierce has a big mountain summit but isnt extreme at all, heck you could summit in not so great weather safely and Im just a big fan of the area.

 

[DougPaul]

I have done trips with kids on the Rocky Branch trail from Jericho Road in to Rocky Branch Shelter #1 to camp there. Then ascend Stairs Mountain for a nice 180 degree view.

It doesn't have a major summit, and the view is east-south-west, so you don't see the higher summits from there. But it is an easy hike in (short, and on an old RR grade) and the hike up to Stairs mtn. is pretty easy, too. Plentiful water, and the Rocky Branch is beautiful at the campsite.

This may be a lot easier, and not as spectacular as what you're looking for, but I've found it to be a reasonable trip for novices.

I have also done this hike with a kid in tow...

Easy hike in, lots of tent platforms, a shelter nearby with a fire ring, water readily available...

IMO, a good choice.

Doug

 

[dug]

The fire issue might be a hard issue to deal with, that being said, I would consider Mizpah tentsite.Easy hike in, sheltered, Pierce has a big mountain summit but isnt extreme at all, heck you could summit in not so great weather safely and Im just a big fan of the area.

That's the first place that came to mind to me.

 

[mtruman]

Thanks for all the great input everyone. The most common suggestion seems to be Unknown Pond and I had thought of that one myself as well after seeing the TR from Tim, Val, Kevin and Judy after their Labor Day trip (which we were supposed to be on as well). Several other good choices here as well. Sounds like they've got their planning pretty well in hand too with equipment rentals to fit the season for the kids that don't have their own gear, etc. I think all the additional advice here will get them off on a great trip.